Characterization of anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant effects of nano-sized vesicles from Brassica oleracea L. (Broccoli)

In this in vitro study, we test our hypothesis that Broccoli-derived vesicles (BDVs), combining the anti-oxidant properties of their components and the advantages of their structure, can influence the metabolic activity of different cancer cell lines. BDVs were isolated from homogenized fresh broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) using a sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation method and were characterized in terms of physical properties, such as particle size, morphology, and surface charge by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and laser doppler electrophoresis (LDE). Glucosinolates content was assessed by RPLC–ESI–MS analysis. Three different human cancer cell lines (colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2, lung adenocarcinoma NCI-H441 and neuroblastoma SHSY5Y) were evaluated for metabolic activity by the MTT assay, uptake by fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and anti-oxidant activity by a fluorimetric assay detecting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Three bands were obtained with average size measured by TEM based size distribution analysis of 52 nm (Band 1), 70 nm (Band 2), and 82 nm (Band 3). Glucobrassicin, glucoraphanin and neoglucobrassicin were found mostly concentrated in Band 1. BDVs affected the metabolic activity of different cancer cell lines in a dose dependent manner compared with untreated cells. Overall, Band 2 and 3 were more toxic than Band 1 irrespective of the cell lines. BDVs were taken up by cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of cells with BDVs resulted in a significant decrease in ROS production in Caco-2 and NCI-H441 stimulated with hydrogen peroxide and SHSY5Y treated with 6-hydroxydopamine, with all three Bands. Our findings open to the possibility to find a novel “green” approach for cancer treatment, focused on using vesicles from broccoli, although a more in-depth characterization of bioactive molecules is warranted

Biological properties and therapeutic effects of plant-derived nanovesicles

Exosomes-like nanoparticles can be released by a variety of plants and vegetables. The relevance of plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) in interspecies communication is derived from their content in biomolecules (lipids, proteins, and miRNAs), absence of toxicity, easy internalization by mammalian cells, as well as for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties. Due to these interesting features, we review here their potential application in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver diseases, and cancer as well as their potentiality as drug carriers. Current evidence indicate that PDNVs can improve the disease state at the level of intestine in IBD mouse models by affecting inflammation and promoting prohealing effects. While few reports suggest that anticancer effects can be derived from antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties of PDNVs, other studies have shown that PDNVs can be used as effective delivery systems for small molecule agents and nucleic acids with therapeutic effects (siRNAs, miRNAs, and DNAs). Finally, since PDNVs are characterized by a proven stability in the gastrointestinal tract, they have been considered as promising delivery systems for natural products contained therein and drugs (including nucleic acids) via the oral route

Blood Clotting Dissolution in the Presence of a Magnetic Field and Preliminary Study with MG63 Osteoblast-like Cells—Further Developments for Guided Bone Regeneration?

Background: The influence of a magnetic field on the activation of bone cells and remodelling of alveolar bone is known to incite bone regeneration. Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) aims to develop biomimetic scaffolds to allow for the functioning of the barrier and the precise succession of wound healing steps, including haemostasis. The effect of a magnetic field on blood clot dissolution has not been studied yet. Methods: We conducted a methodological study on the clot stability in the presence of a static magnetic field (SMF). Preformed whole blood (WB) clots were treated with either a broad proteolytic enzyme (trypsin) or a specific fibrinolytic agent, i.e., tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). MG63 osteoblast-like cells were added to preformed WB clots to assess cell proliferation. Results: After having experienced a number of clotting and dissolution protocols, we obtained clot stability exerted by SMF when tissue factor (for clotting) and t-PA + plasminogen (for fibrinolysis) were used. WB clots allowed osteoblast-like cells to survive and proliferate, however no obvious effects of the magnetic field were noted. Conclusions: Paramagnetic properties of erythrocytes may have influenced the reduction in clot dissolution. Future studies are warranted to fully exploit the combination of magnetic forces, WB clot and cells in GBR applied to orthodontics and prosthodontics

A decision support model for assessing and prioritization of industry 5.0 cybersecurity challenges

The world is adopting the Industry 5.0 paradigm to increase human centricity, sustainability, and resilience in efficient, optimized, and profitable manufacturing systems. With benefits, however, come increased risks of economic and physical loss, driving the need for continuous improvement of Industry 5.0 cybersecurity. Implementation and advancement of adequate cybersecurity have created challenges that have been identified in the literature. In this study, key Industry 5.0 cybersecurity challenges and related sub-challenges are highlighted based on a literature review. Graph Theory and Matrix Approach (GTMA) is employed to analyze the challenges and determine relative importance based on permanent values of the variable permanent matrix (VPM). The results identify the most important Industry 5.0 cybersecurity challenges and reveal Industry 5.0 firms should primarily concentrate on supply chain vulnerabilities to decrease data loss and hacking in the organization's supply chain network. This study also recommends that executives and lawmakers acquire knowledge regarding cybersecurity challenges and prepare to deal with them. Addressing these and other subsequently prioritized challenges—the top five rounded out with emergent cybersecurity trends, non-availability of cybersecurity curriculum in education, embedded technical constraints, and absence of skilled employees and training—will lead the methodical development of holistic, robust cybersecurity programs. Firms accepting of this reality may implement such programs to mitigate evolving cyber-risk towards harnessing and sustaining the benefits of novel Industry 5.0 technologies

<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> (Tomato)-Derived Nanovesicles Accelerate Wound Healing by Eliciting the Migration of Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts

Plant-derived nanovesicles have been considered interesting in medicine for their breakthrough biological effects, including those relevant to wound healing. However, tomato-derived nanovesicles (TDNVs) have not been studied for their effects on wound closure yet. TDNVs were isolated from Solanum lycopersicum (var. Piccadilly) ripe tomatoes by ultracentrifugation. Extract (collected during the isolation procedure) and NVs (pellet) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and laser Doppler electrophoresis. Wound healing in the presence of Extract or NVs was analyzed by a scratch assay with monocultures of human keratinocytes (HUKE) or NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Cell proliferation and migration were studied by MTT and agarose spot assay, respectively. The vesicles in the Extract and NV samples were nanosized with a similar mean diameter of 115 nm and 130 nm, respectively. Both Extract and NVs had already accelerated wound closure of injured HUKE and NIH-3T3 monocultures by 6 h post-injury. Although neither sample exerted a cytotoxic effect on HUKE and NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, they did not augment cell proliferation. NVs and the Extract increased cell migration of both cell types. NVs from tomatoes may accelerate wound healing by increasing keratinocyte and fibroblast migration. These results indicate the potential therapeutic usefulness of TDNVs in the treatment of chronic or hard-to-heal ulcers

Dopamine-loaded lipid based nanocarriers for intranasal administration of the neurotransmitter: a comparative study

Both dopamine (DA) loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and liposomes (Lip), designed for intranasal administration of the neurotransmitter as an innovative Parkinson disease treatment, were already characterized in vitro in some extent by us (Trapani et al., 2018a and Cometa et al., 2020, respectively). Herein, to gain insight into the structure of SLN, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Analysis was carried out and DA-SLN (SLN 1) were found to exhibit high amounts of the neurotransmitter on the surface, whereas the external side of Glycol Chitosan (GCS) containing SLN (SLN 2) possessed only few amounts. However, SLN 2 were characterized by the highest encapsulation DA efficiency (i.e., 81%). Furthermore, in view of intranasal administration, mucoadhesion tests in vitro were also conducted for SLN and Lip formulations, evidencing high muchoadesive effect exerted by SLN 2. Concerning ex-vivo studies, SLN and Lip were found to be safe for Olfactory Ensheathing Cells and fluorescent SLN 2 were taken up in a dose-dependent manner reaching the 100% of positive cells, while Lip 2 (chitosan-glutathione-coated) were internalised by 70% OECs with six-times more lipid concentration. Hence, SLN 2 formulation containing DA and GCS may constitute interesting formulations for further studies and promising dosage form for non-invasive nose-to-brain neurotransmitter deliver

Carboxymethyl chitosan dopamine conjugates: Synthesis and evaluation for intranasal anti Parkinson therapy

With respect to the Parkinson's disease (PD), herein, we aimed at synthetizing and characterizing two novel macromolecular conjugates where dopamine (DA) was linked to N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan or O-carboxymethyl chitosan, being both conjugates obtained from an organic solvent free synthetic procedure. They were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR spectroscopies, whereas thermal analysis (including Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis) revealed good stability of the two conjugates after exposure at temperatures close to 300 ◦C. Release studies in simulated nasal fluid elucidated that a faster release occurred since O-carboxymethyl chitosan-DA conjugate maybe due to the less steric hindrance exerted by the polymeric moiety. The CMCS-DA conjugates prepared in aqueous medium may self-assembly to form polymeric micelles and/or may form polymeric nanoparticles. TEM and Photon correlation spectroscopy lent support for polymeric nanoparticle formation. Moreover, such CMCS-DA conjugates showed antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Finally, cytocompatibility studies with neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells showed no cytotoxicity of both conjugates, whereas their uptake increased from 2.5 to 24 h and demonstrated in 40–66 % of cells

Nose-to-brain delivery: a comparative study between carboxymethyl chitosan based conjugates of dopamine

Herein, the synthesis of a novel polymeric conjugate N,O-CMCS-Dopamine (DA) based on an amide linkage is reported. The performances of this conjugate were compared with those of an analogous N,O-CMCS-DA ester conjugate previously studied (Cassano et al., 2020) to gain insight into their potential utility for Parkinson's disease treatment. The new amide conjugate was synthesized by standard carbodiimide coupling procedure and characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR spectroscopies and thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorimetry). In vitro mucoadhesive studies in simulated nasal fluid (SNF) evidenced high adhesive effect of both ester and amide conjugates. Results demonstrated that the amide conjugate exerted an important role to prevent DA spontaneous autoxidation both under stressed conditions and physiological mimicking ones. MTT test indicated cytocompatibility of the amide conjugate with Olfactory Ensheating Cells (OECs), which were shown by cytofluorimetry to internalize efficiently the conjugate. Overall, among the two conjugates herein studied, the N,O-CMCS-DA amide conjugate seems a promising candidate for improving the delivery of DA by nose-to-brain administration

Novel Nanoparticles Based on N,O-Carboxymethyl Chitosan-Dopamine Amide Conjugate for Nose-to-Brain Delivery

A widely investigated approach to bypass the blood brain barrier is represented by the intranasal delivery of therapeutic agents exploiting the olfactory or trigeminal connections nosebrain. As for Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized by dopaminergic midbrain neurons degeneration, currently there is no disease modifying therapy. Although several bio-nanomaterials have been evaluated for encapsulation of neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) or dopaminergic drugs in order to restore the DA content in parkinsonian patients, the premature leakage of the therapeutic agent limits this approach. To tackle this drawback, we undertook a study where the active was linked to the polymeric backbone by a covalent bond. Thus, novel nanoparticles (NPs) based on N,O-Carboxymethylchitosan-DA amide conjugate (N,O-CMCS-DA) were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized from a technological view point, cytotoxicity and uptake by Olfactory Ensheating Cells (OECs). Thermogravimetric analysis showed high chemical stability of N,O-CMCS-DA NPs and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy evidenced the presence of amide linkages on the NPs surface. MTT test indicated their cytocompatibility with OECs, while cytofluorimetry and fluorescent microscopy revealed the internalization of labelled N,O-CMCS-DA NPs by OECs, that was increased by the presence of mucin. Altogether, these findings seem promising for further development of N,O-CMCS-DA NPs for nose-to-brain delivery application in PD